Fate: The Winx Saga is so close! In just one week you can fully enjoy the premiere. We know you are eager to know and at Fangirlish we have your back. Here is our advanced review about season 1 and, trust us, it’s a season that you don’t want to miss.
Here we go!
OUR PAST…IS OUR FUTURE
I want to tell you that I was a fan of the animated series when I was little, but I don’t remember them so I sat down to watch the show – and talk about it – having no preconceptions. And I like it. I advise you to take the show as something new, though. Because it is based on the cartoons of our childhood … but it also follows its own path. And that path can be beautiful if we are only open to exploring it.
The show is darker than the cartoons were, I think it was unavoidable due to the audience it’s aimed at. But I think that darkness is good for it, it makes the show more adult, with more real problems in a fantasy world. Because, at the end of the day, the show tells us the story of how the characters find themselves and decide who they want to be, how they grow, evolve … and learn about their past.
That is one thing you have to know. The past of the characters marks their present and their future. The past is always important because it is part of who we are now, it shapes us, and this show makes that have more meaning than ever.
TRUST IN YOUR FRIENDS…AND YOUR LOVERS
As for the characters, I think they all end up in a different place than where they started. In some cases for the better and in other cases for the worse. But they all take a position on what they believe best. Actually, it’s all about that, doing what you think is best … even if it’s wrong or hard.
The usual question, does the end justify the means? It is something that the series makes you wonder and the answer will not be easy, because when you understand what is behind certain intentions, certain decisions … all the ideas you had change and you start to feel differently. You can really, really understand the characters, even if you don’t share their decisions. Only one character is the exception that proves the rule.
At first, the characters don’t have deep connections with each other because they all hide their true feelings, their true heart … they are afraid to trust. I have some problems with that and a lot to say to a few of them about this, but I love that 6 episodes later that changes in a huge way and that they show it so clearly.
Sometimes we just need to lower our barriers and trust … even if it costs us a lot to do so. Just let others help … and dare to explore the unknown. But you all want to know about our leaders Stella, Bloom, Terra, Aisha and Musa. I love them. So much. The ones I love the most are Stella, Terra (I really cried with her, because I felt so identified) and Bloom, but they all have my heart.
As for the boys, Sky is sweet and really afraid to open his heart but when he does … he gives everything and Raven is able to learn from mistakes and I have my hopes pinned on him. Also, at some point in history, I had problems with almost all of them, but it doesn’t matter because I could understand … by knowing them.
That is the key. In the first episodes, we hardly know them and their roles are very marked but later, while they lower their barriers, they get closer without realizing it, they get to know each other, understand each other, they dare to trust a little more … despite their fears, despite their demons. They need each other. And friends are always there. Only sometimes we trust who we shouldn’t …
All the characters face different problems that are real and with which we can all identify in some way. They must find themselves and fight to go their own way, maturing in the process and realizing what or who is hurting them.
As for couples, I think you will be surprised by some … and they are more set up for the future. I liked the evolution in this aspect and I think it has a good chance of being better if we have the opportunity to see a season 2.
SECRETS AND SURPRISES
Secrets and surprises are always the order of the day. In Alfea everyone hides something … and when it is discovered it is absolutely shocking because, in addition, they are quite intelligent and make you believe some things …, and then reveal more things that completely change your perception. We can only say that perhaps the enemies are not who you might think at first glance.
That is a great thing about the show, it has several twists and some things that you do not expect. It only has six episodes but you simply need to watch them one after the other, it completely hooks you and each episode leaves you wanting more.
As for the special effects, they are on point. They really feel pretty real and good … even if I think they still have room to improve for, hopefully, a season 2. The same goes for the costumes. I think it fits with the different personalities of the characters and they have done quite well, but I want more!
OTHER THOUGHTS …
As for the somewhat negative aspects, I think they could have done better in terms of diversity. Actors and actresses are perfect for their roles, really, and I love that we see diversity of bodies because not all of us have a perfect body according to our society. I like that Terra is there and has all that strength, combined with bravery and sweetness. I love that they treat what it means to her to have a different body.
But I think the show fails a bit in showing the diversity of our society. I think we can have it all. Diversity of bodies and racial diversity. What’s more, we must demand it. Well, everyone deserves to be represented in a show or in a movie. The same happens with LGTBQ+ characters. They really teased us about it without being overtly explicit … but we deserve more. We must demand more. So I hope that in a hypothetical season 2 we will see more diversity.
Also, I should add that maybe some changes happened too quickly and they should have explained more fully how and why. However, I think this happened because the show is only 6 episodes long, and they haven’t time for it. So again, hopefully in season 2 they give them more time.
We must talk about these failures as we ask for improvement, but it really doesn’t detract from the final result, that is a series full of magic but much more human than what it may seem at first glance, and that ends up leaving us with honey on our lips anxiously waiting for another season.
Because, yeah, it shows that this was only the beginning. The way to introduce the story and the characters and when it seems that everything is over … another game begins. And this time much more difficult to win … but with many possibilities.
Did you like our review? Are you looking forward to seeing Fate: The Winx Saga? Don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below!
Fate: The Winx Saga will be available to stream on Netflix on January 22.
Really enjoyed this review, shows the positives on the show and it by itself not with all the direct comparisons to winx club. I am glad to hear the key point of friendship is there because that was the main theme. It is a different show after all and people should go into it open-minded. Very eager to see the show on Friday!